The '''Marrat Nebula''' is a [[nebula]]onthe borders of [[Federation]] and [[Klingon]] space and a strategically important area to a dozen cultures including [[Arcturan]]s, [[Khodini]]and[[Orion]]s.[[Starfleet]] personnel have described this area as a "treacherous expanse of charged-[[gas]] clouds and [[ion storm]]s".

+

[[Image:Starbase13.jpg|thumb|Starbase13, intheMarratNebula]]

+

The '''Marrat Nebula''' was a [[nebula]] in a strategically important area of space to a dozen cultures including [[Arcturan]]s, [[Khodini]], [[Klingon]]s, [[Orion]]s and the [[Federation]]. [[Starfleet]] personnel have described this area as a "treacherous expanse of charged-[[gas]] clouds and [[ion storm]]s".

−

TheNebula's properties often make [[sensor]] and [[communications]] [[technology|technologies]] unreliable and the region subsequently became an area popular with those fond of illegal activity. In response, Starfleet built [[Starbase 13]] in the [[Marrat system]] to police the area, however the eventual result was for the [[starbase]] to become a target itself, provoking the nickname of "[[Fort Apache]]".

+

Severalmajor routes ran through the nebula, however its properties often made [[sensor]] and [[communications]] [[technology|technologies]] unreliable and the region was subsequently also an area popular with those fond of illegal activity. In response, Starfleet built [[Starbase 13]], in the [[Marrat system]], to police the region, however the eventual result was for the [[starbase]] to become a target itself, provoking the nickname of "[[Fort Apache]]".

Some time later Starfleet began a more ambitious scheme to bring order to the region in [[Project Pharos]], in which a huge [[lighthouse]] was built on a [[planet]] in the nebula to broadcast [[navigation]]al data to all vessels in the area and chart and log illegal traffic. The Pharos project itself became a target when the Starfleet engineers discovered huge quantities of extremely pure [[dilithium]] on the planet, which the Klingon commander [[Kaaj]] also became aware of, prompting him to encourage the Nebula's criminal elements to form [[Marrat brigand|an alliance]] to launch more effective attacks on Starbase 13. With the starbase's resources stretched in self-defence Kaaj was able to launch his own offensive to take control of Pharos, however the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} had been called in to assist Starbase 13, and after driving off the most recent brigand attack proceeded tot he [[Pharos siteworld]] to investigate the loss in communications.

−

SometimelaterStarfleetbeganamoreambitiousscheme tobringorder to the regionin[[ProjectPharos]],inwhichahuge[[lighthouse]]wasbuiltona[[planet]]in the nebula to broadcast [[navigation]]aldatatoallvesselsintheareaandchartandlogillegaltraffic.However,inbuildingthe lighthouse the Starfleet engineering teams discovered huge quantities of extremely pure and extremely valuable [[dilithium]].Starfleetchoose to keep this discovery a secret. Unfortunately the Klingon commander [[Kaaj]] became awareofthesefindingsandtookStarfleet’ssecrecyasduplicityconcluding Starfleet was planning to the claim the region for the Federation. Inresponseheralliedlocalcriminal elements to launch ever more violent attacks on Starbase 13.

+

Shortlyafterthe''Enterprise''arrivedKaajattacked,strikingacripplingblow to the starship.WiththesituationthreateningtoescalatetoalargerconflictbetweentheFederationand the Klingons [[Captain]] [[ChristopherPike|Pike]]sawonlyonewaytopreventamoreextendedconflict;hefiredonPharos.The pure dilithium ignitedand the planet became ahugefireballwhichburnedfordecadesprovidingthenavigationalbeacon the region required. ({{c|EV|TheFiresofPharos}})

−

−

With escalating tensions in the Nebula, the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was called in to assist Starbase 13, and arrived just in time to drive off the most recent brigand attack. Kaaj choose this time to make his move and sent soldiers to the [[Pharos siteworld]] to claim the world back from the Federation. The Enterprise was sent to investigate the sudden loss of contact with the engineering teams on the planet and battle quickly ensued. With Kaaj threatening war and striking a crippling blow to the Enterprise [[Captain]] [[Christopher Pike|Pike]] saw only one way to prevent a more extended conflict. He fired on Pharos. The pure dilithium ignited and the planet became a huge fireball which burned for decades providing the navigational beacon the region required. ({{c|EV|The Fires of Pharos}})

−

<center>

−

<gallery>

−

Image:Lighthouse.jpg|The [[Pharos siteworld]]

−

Image:Pharos.jpg|The fires of Pharos

−

Image:Starbase 13.jpg|[[Starbase 13]]

−

Image:IKS Varchas.jpg|The [[IKS Varchas]] in the nebula

−

</gallery>

−

</center>

−

−

:''The extent of the Marrat Nebula is somewhat unclear whilst often been referred to as a significant region and large enough to accommodate alot of traffic and activity it is also sometimes exchanged for the [[Marrat system]]. This article is written on the interpretation that the Marrat system is a smaller area of the larger Marrat Nebula Region.''

Several major routes ran through the nebula, however its properties often made sensor and communicationstechnologies unreliable and the region was subsequently also an area popular with those fond of illegal activity. In response, Starfleet built Starbase 13, in the Marrat system, to police the region, however the eventual result was for the starbase to become a target itself, provoking the nickname of "Fort Apache".

The IKS Varchas in the nebula

Some time later Starfleet began a more ambitious scheme to bring order to the region in Project Pharos, in which a huge lighthouse was built on a planet in the nebula to broadcast navigational data to all vessels in the area and chart and log illegal traffic. The Pharos project itself became a target when the Starfleet engineers discovered huge quantities of extremely pure dilithium on the planet, which the Klingon commander Kaaj also became aware of, prompting him to encourage the Nebula's criminal elements to form an alliance to launch more effective attacks on Starbase 13. With the starbase's resources stretched in self-defence Kaaj was able to launch his own offensive to take control of Pharos, however the USS Enterprise had been called in to assist Starbase 13, and after driving off the most recent brigand attack proceeded tot he Pharos siteworld to investigate the loss in communications.

Shortly after the Enterprise arrived Kaaj attacked, striking a crippling blow to the starship. With the situation threatening to escalate to a larger conflict between the Federation and the Klingons CaptainPike saw only one way to prevent a more extended conflict; he fired on Pharos. The pure dilithium ignited and the planet became a huge fireball which burned for decades providing the navigational beacon the region required. (EVcomic: "The Fires of Pharos")